This morning, on the way to class, I was dead tired. Like, a-la Night of the Living Dead kind of tired. I've gone most of this week with minimal sleep, and it started really taking its toll. I'm normally pretty tired without caffeine, but today it seemed like nothing would wake me up. Until I got out of the car. One zap of that cold, snowy wind and I was awake. That, and a slip in the slush that landed me on my butt. I had just enough time to register the uncomfortable sensation of my jeans getting colder by the second, when I felt a hand grab my arm and lift me back to my feet. I looked up and saw this very tall, rather large man looking at me with concern.
"Are you all right?" He asked, picking up my purse and handing it back to me.
When I assured him that I was fine, he held the door for me as I went into Wawa. I was slightly shaken up. I'm a clumsy person normally, but add slush and ice, and I'm hopeless. Last semester, during a torrential rain storm, I fell down a flight of stairs in the CIM building with my back hitting each step. For a couple seconds, I couldn't feel or move at all, and ever since then, I've had a fear of falling.
But anyway, to top it all off, he saw me in line to pay, and waited around so he could get the door for me again on my way out. Now, if that isn't the nicest thing a stranger has done for me, I don't know what is.
I've never been able to understand those women who complain when a man holds the door for them, or pulls a chair out for them. I mean, doesn't that just make it more convenient for us? Not every man means it as a slight against us. Some just genuinely want to help. And yet, I listen to my friends who can't believe that a man had the nerve to let them go first into Wawa. Really?
If we keep this up, won't we end up deterring all men from wanting to go out of their way for us? Or am I just being gloom-and-doom over here? Maybe. Doesn't mean I'm wrong, though. ;)
Either way, it was a very kind thing for him to do for me. To go out of his way and stand in the cold and wind to help a sleep-deprived college student? That's a kindness of spirit that you don't see all that often anymore.
Anyway, I'm off to catch up on some of that sleep. Good night, and talk to you soon. :)
I don't think Chivalry is dead. I used to want to do everything myself without any help, but that didn't get me anywhere. I learned the hard way that kindness is not a sign of weakness and being polite will get you furhter on down the road. I love it when a man hold the door for me. Of course it cathes me off guard, so I try to make a corny joke like, "Oh, a gentleman, I'm not used to this". He seems to appreciate that his gesture was also appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThe men (and women)in my class help with suggestions and I consider that a chivalrous act, too. Last year while in MAC lab, I was sitting in front of the computer, just staring 'cause I was at a loss(which is usually what happens to me-I need a GPS for life). A young man rolled his chair over and simply said,"push that one". I didn't ask for help and yet he could see I was stumped. That one act got me moving on the project and saved alot of time. I still remember his kindnes and he probably thought nothing of it. It was like a rescue. Yeah, I still believe in chivalry.